Africa CDC, WHO probe 'Disease X' in DR Congo

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with the World Health Organization, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Health Ministry and other partners, is investigating the unknown "Disease X" that has been reported in the central African country.

Disease X refers to an unknown pathogen with the potential to cause severe illness and widespread public health impacts, hence early detection, investigation and coordinated responses are critical to mitigating its potential effects.

The disease, which presents symptoms such as fever, headache and a high mortality rate among children, has so far affected 376 and killed 79. It was first identified on Oct 24 and reported to national authorities in early December.

The Africa CDC said limited laboratory capacity in the Panzi health zone, the epicenter of the outbreak, required samples to be transported to the national reference laboratory in the capital Kinshasa, highlighting the urgent need for decentralized laboratory infrastructure.

"Africa CDC is fully committed to supporting member states in safeguarding public health," Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, said.

He said the Africa CDC has deployed a multidisciplinary team to support the DR Congo Ministry of Health in the investigation of the disease.

The team, which includes epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, infection prevention and control experts, and other specialists, is collaborating with national and international partners, including the WHO, to assess the situation, accelerate diagnostic testing and implement control measures.

Main symptoms

The WHO said all the severe cases of the disease that have been reported are severely malnourished with difficulty in breathing, anemia and signs of acute malnutrition, the main symptoms associated with death.

Given the clinical presentation and symptoms reported and the associated deaths, the WHO said acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles and malaria are being considered as potential causal factors with malnutrition as a contributing factor.

"Laboratory tests are underway to determine the exact cause. At this stage, it is also possible that more than one disease is contributing to the cases and deaths," it said.